CACJ 39/2015

This case involved the import of goods which did not match their specification. Although the importer had returned some of the violating goods to the authorities he had not returned all so still had to pay the fines for unauthorised disposal.

Background

A shipment of ready-made garments was stopped by the Customs Department on behalf of a trade fair. The Customs submitted samples to the laboratory after the merchant had pledged to wait for the tests results before disposing of the goods. The results showed the non-conformity of the samples with the components of the raw material specifications. The case was then referred to the First Instance customs Committee.

The Committee issued a ruling convicting the owner of the company of smuggling and compelled him to pay a customs fine equivalent to two customs fees and requested the merchant pay the equivalent of the value of the shipment as a forfeiture fee.

The owner of the trade fair filed an appeal but did not include arguments that would undermine the ruling's regularity. The case was referred to Jeddah Customs Appeals Committee.

Decision